Below are the first 10 and last 10 pages of uncorrected machine-read text (when available) of this chapter, followed by the top 30 algorithmically extracted key phrases from the chapter as a whole.
Intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text on the opening pages of each chapter.
Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.
Do not use for reproduction, copying, pasting, or reading; exclusively for search engines.
OCR for page 60
61
APPENDIX A
Surveys of Transit Agencies and Bus Manufacturers
OCR for page 61
62
November 2006
USE OF HIGHER CAPACITY BUSES IN TRANSIT SERVICE
TCRP SYNTHESIS TOPIC SA-16
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TRANSIT AGENCIES USING HIGHER CAPACITY BUSES
Purpose: The purpose of this survey is to gather information on the use of higher capacity (HC) buses in transit service,
as part of a Synthesis of Practice being prepared for the Transportation Research Board. For the purposes of this study,
HC buses are defined as vehicles used in public transit service, such as articulated, double-decker, 45-foot, and others
that are higher capacity than the standard 40-foot bus.
Please note that some transit systems operate more than one type of HC bus.
Transit Agency: ________________________________ Date: ______________________________
Contact Name: Title: ______________________________
Telephone: E-Mail:
Size of total active (Non-ADA) fleet Size of Higher Capacity (HC) Fleet(s)
Artics Double Decker 45'
_______ _______ _______
MOTIVATION FOR USE OF HC BUSES
Types of Services Using Higher Capacity (HC) Buses:
Name of Service (if any) No. of HC Buses
Please check all that apply (& type: Artic, DD, 45')
[ ] Trunk service routes--all day ______________________________________________
[ ] Trunk service--use only in peak service
[ ] Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes
[ ] Express/long distance commuter routes
[ ] Special services (e.g., sports event specials)
[ ] Other:
What were the primary reasons for implementing HC buses for the above services?
Please rank (with 1= most important reason) Please add any comments
[ ] Provide increased seating capacity
[ ] Increase bus operator productivity
[ ] Reduce peak vehicle requirements
[ ] Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service
[ ] Marketing image
[ ] Passenger comfort
[ ] Other (Please explain):
DEPLOYING HC BUSES
In what year were HC buses first deployed into the active fleet of your transit system?
Type of HC bus (Artic, DD, 45'): ____________ Year first deployed: ____________
Type of HC bus (if more than one type in fleet): __________ Year first deployed: __________
Do you have different wage rates for operating HC buses? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Is the wage differential significant?
OCR for page 62
63
Were facilities or infrastructure modifications made to accommodate your HC buses?
Please check all that apply HC Bus Type (A, DD, 45') Modifications
[ ] Bus stop dimensions [ ]
[ ]
[ ] On-street parking [ ]
[ ]
[ ] Roadway [ ]
[ ]
[ ] Terminals/loops [ ]
[ ]
[ ] Maintenance shops [ ]
[ ]
[ ] Wash facilities [ ]
[ ]
[ ] Fueling facilities [ ]
[ ]
[ ] Other: [ ]
[ ]
What was approximate capital cost of modifications? ________________________________________
Were there any legislative/regulatory impediments to the use of HC buses? __________________________________
What actions were taken? _________________________________________________________________________
Are there any internal service restrictions to the use of HC buses (e.g., no standees)? ___________________________
Were actions taken to improve dwell time at stops in order to take advantage of higher capacity buses?
Bus stop design/signage
Fare collection procedures
Wheelchair accommodation
Changes to policies/procedures
Other:
Were changes made to scheduling procedures (e.g., rules, interlining, modifications to scheduling software, etc.)?
Please explain:
Do you operate a mix of HC buses and standard 40-foot buses on a single route?
Yes [ ] No [ ]
If so, what approach is taken to the headway design when using buses with different passenger capacities?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
OCR for page 63
64
VEHICLE FEATURES
Are your HC vehicles equipped with special security features (e.g., real-time CCTV monitors for operators)?
Do your HC vehicles have special passenger amenities (e.g., Internet access, reclining seats, or luggage racks)?
(Please specify type of HC buses and amenities): _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are your HC vehicles equipped with bike racks? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Restrictions on their use? ____________________________________________________________________________
How are your HC vehicles equipped for passengers with physical disabilities?
Type of HC buses (Artic, DD, 45'): ___________
Features (check)
Ramp/lift location: [ ] 1st Door [ ] 2nd Door [ ] Other:
Wheelchair positions: [ ] 2 Forward-facing [ ] 1 Rear-facing + 1 forward position
Type of HC buses (if more than one type in fleet):
Features (check)
Ramp/lift locations: [ ] 1st Door [ ] 2nd Door [ ] Other:
Wheelchair positions: [ ] 2 Forward-facing [ ] 1 Rear-facing + 1 forward position
EXPERIENCE WITH HC BUSES
Has your experience met your expectations with respect to the above primary objectives?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If not, please specify type of HC bus and explain: ________________________________________________________
Has your overall experience with the use of HC buses been?
[ ] Very Good [ ] Acceptable [ ] Poor
If poor, please specify type of HC bus and explain:
Has customer acceptance of the HC buses been:
[ ] Very Good [ ] Acceptable [ ] Poor
Type of HC bus and features they most like? ____________________________________________________________
Type of HC bus and features they most dislike?
Has ridership been measurably increased by the introduction of HC vehicles [ ] Yes [ ] No
(excluding any increases in service hours)?
Has operator acceptance of the HC buses been:
[ ] Very Good [ ] Acceptable [ ] Poor
Type of HC bus and features they most like?
Type of HC bus and features they most dislike?
OCR for page 64
65
How has the vehicle operating experience with your HC buses compared to that with your standard 40-foot buses
(specify type of HC vehicle)?
Type of HC Bus (Artic, DD, 45'): Type of HC Bus:
Performance Item Better Same Poorer Unknown Better Same Poorer Unknown
Acceleration/ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Grade Climbing
Road Clearance [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Turning Maneuverability [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Fuel Economy [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Range [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Reliability [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Availability [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Roadcalls [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
How does the HC fleet spare ratio compare to that for 40' buses?
Higher Same Lower
Type of HC Bus (Artic, DD, 45'): [ ] [ ] [ ]
Type of HC Bus: [ ] [ ] [ ]
What has been your experience in transporting passengers using wheelchairs with your HC buses compared to your
standard 40-foot buses? [ ] Better [ ] Same [ ] Poorer
Please explain differences:
Have there been any major issues or concerns raised by your use of HC buses?
(Please indicate type of HC vehicle for which issue applies: A-Artics, DD-Double-deckers, 45')
Please rank (with 1 = most important reason) Please add any comments
[ ] Capital cost of vehicles
[ ] Facility retrofit costs
[ ] Operating costs (labor, fuel)
[ ] Maintenance costs
[ ] Dwell time/fare collection
[ ] Accommodation of wheelchairs
[ ] Accommodation of bicycles
[ ] Safety and security
[ ] Vehicle reliability
[ ] Winter operations
[ ] Operating constraints
[ ] Other:
AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON HIGHER CAPACITY BUS OPERATIONS:
Do you track the operations/costs of the HC bus operations separately?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
Can you provide data on your HC bus operations? (Please check all that apply)
[ ] Ridership impacts attributable to HC buses [ ] Safety experience
[ ] Maintenance/fuel costs per vehicle hour or mile [ ] Road calls
Did you conduct any pre-deployment feasibility study/business case analysis?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
Have you conducted any post-deployment evaluations concerning your HC buses?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
Could you make the above information available for this study?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
OCR for page 65
66
FUTURE PLANS FOR HIGH CAPACITY BUSES
Do you have plans to expand the existing HC Bus fleet: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Number/type of buses: ___________________________
Do you have plans to deploy a new type of HC bus: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Type of HC bus? Number of buses? Type of service?
OTHER COMMENTS:
If you have any questions, please contact Rolland King at (614) 439-8843 or by e-mail at
Rolland D. King: azrdk@yahoo.com.
Please return this survey by November 30th to:
Rolland D. King
E-mail: azrdk@yahoo.com
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and participation in this study
OCR for page 66
67
USE OF HIGHER CAPACITY BUSES IN TRANSIT SERVICE
TCRP SYNTHESIS TOPIC SA-16
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR MANUFACTURERS OF HIGHER CAPACITY BUSES
Purpose: The purpose of this survey is to gather information on the use of higher capacity (HC) buses in transit service in
North America, as part of a Synthesis of Practice being prepared for the Transportation Research Board. For the
purposes of this study, HC buses are defined as vehicles used in public transit service, such as articulated, double-decker,
and 45-foot buses.
Manufacturer: Date: ________________________
Contact Name: Title:
E-Mail: Tel.: Fax:
Do you manufacture HC buses for the North American transit market? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Are you planning to manufacture HC buses for the North American transit market? [ ] Yes [ ] No
If "yes" for either question, please complete the remainder of the survey. If "no" for both questions, please return the
survey with this information.
For each of your HC bus models that are or will be marketed to transit agencies in North America, please provide the
information requested in Tables 1 and 2.
TABLE 1
PURCHASING STATUS FOR U.S. TRANSIT MARKET
Altoona Bus Meets "Buy
Tests Completed America" Unit Cost Range#
Bus Model (Yes or No) Requirements (in U.S. dollars)
(Yes or No)
#
Do not include costs such as spare parts, delivery, or training.
TABLE 2
PURCHASING STATUS FOR CANADIAN TRANSIT MARKET
Meets Canada Motor
Bus Model Vehicle Regulations Unit Cost Range#
(Yes or No) (in Canadian dollars)
#
Do not include costs, such as spare parts, delivery, or training.
OCR for page 67
68
Please provide the information requested in Table 3 for all of your HC buses that are offered to transit agencies.
Sales/marketing brochures that contain the requested information may be provided in lieu of filling out Table 3.
TABLE 3
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF HIGHER CAPACITY BUSES
Model Identification
Technical Description
Length, not including bumpers (ft)#
Width, not including mirrors (in.)#
Height (in.)#
Approach angle (deg.)
Departure angle (deg.)
Breakover angle (deg.)
Turning radius, outside (ft)#
Number of passenger doors (1, 2, 3, ...)
Entrance/exit height at doors (in.)#+
Number of steps to enter/exit (e.g., 1, 2, ...)
Wheelchair equipment (ramp or lift)
Door location(s) of wheel chair equip. (1, 2, ...)
Maximum number of seats
Maximum number of standees
Gross vehicle weight rating (lb)#
Curb weight (lb)#
Propulsion options, list all*
Engine options (manufacturer and model)
#
Please indicate if units are in metric.
+
Please indicate if heights differ for multiple doors.
*
Diesel (D), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), Gasoline (G), Hybrid (H),
Electric Trolley (ET), or Other (O), please explain.
Please provide information on the models that offer additional features (e.g., Bus Rapid Transit
features) mentioned in Table 4.
TABLE 4
BUS RAPID TRANSIT OPTIONS
Model Identification
Technology Description
Passenger doors on either side (yes or no)
Body streamlining (e.g., large curved window, fender skirts, etc.)
Bus guidance technology (yes or no)
WiFi technology (yes or no)
Blind spot sensors (yes or no)
Other, please explain:
If you have any questions, please contact Rolland King at (614) 439-8848 or azrdk@yahoo.com.
Please return the completed questionnaire and marketing material by December 8 to:
Rolland King
10020 Sandstone Drive
Sun City, AZ 85351
or forward by e-mail to azrdk@yahoo.com or by FAX to (623) 977-7563.
Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation by participating in this study.
